Handheld portable hot air device

ABSTRACT

A handheld, portable hot air device ( 1, 30 ) comprising an electrical heating element ( 31 ), a fan ( 33 ) for inducing an air stream to pass the heating element ( 31 ) and an accumulator ( 34 ) for powering the heating element ( 31 ) and the fan ( 33 ), and in that said heating element ( 1, 31 ) comprises a ceramic tube ( 35 ) having a rear end and a front end and in which rear end a wire circuit ( 41, 42 ) with at least one heating wire ( 32 ) enters and leaves the ceramic tube ( 35 ) and in that the heating wire ( 32 ) either protrudes out from the front end of the ceramic tube ( 35 ) or enters the front end of the ceramic tube ( 35 ) in a spiral formed shape and in that one heating wire ( 421 ) is wrapped around a central ceramic conduit ( 43 ) located in the center of the ceramic tube ( 35 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a handheld portable hot air device, for examplean igniter suitable for ignition of a charcoal-bed of a barbequecharcoal grill or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are plenty of different methods and devices used today forigniting a charcoal bed for a barbeque or an open fire. In general,lighter fluids have been used for this purpose for a long time. Duringrecent years, there have been an increased interest in finding new waysof lighting a fire or igniting a charcoal grill which are moreenvironmentally friendly. A device to be used as a charcoal igniter isdescribed in WO 2007/008130. This device is intended to ignite acharcoal bed or the like by inducing an air stream by the use of a fanand heating the stream of air by an electric heating element which isattached to the mains by a cable.

This kind of igniter may thus replace the commonly used lighter fluidswhich still probably are the most common way of igniting an open fire orcharcoal grill. There is a great variety of lighter fluids and they maybe made from petrochemical products or from a natural, renewable sourcesand thus being more environmentally friendly. Regardless of the originof the fluid used, the handling of a lighter fluid will always be a riskfactor, in particular having the fluid close to an open fire or charcoalbed. In addition, there is always a risk of having unburned hydrocarbonsfrom the lighter fuel which may influence the flavour and causeunhealthy compositions to be soaked into the food to be grilled on theglowing charcoal.

An electric igniter as described in WO 2007/008130 may thus bebeneficial to use to generally replace lighter fluids. However, the useof lighter fluids may still have some advantages compared to the devicedescribed in WO 2007/008130, e.g. lighter fluids may easily be carriedand used at locations where there is no access to the electric grid.

The present invention is intended to provide an igniter which may beused more easily in a wide variety of environments and locations thanthe one described in WO 2007/008130, e.g. when going on a hike or havinga barbecue on the beach, and thus be an alternative to the use oflighter fluids which has the advantage of being able to be used atalmost any location.

The document DE 102005048058 discloses an igniter powered by anaccumulator giving 14-18 V which accumulator also powers a fan. Thedrawbacks of a device according to this document are to ignite charcoalfast enough which requires a higher temperature in the heating elementthan is possible with such an igniter.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the purpose of the invention to provide a handheld hot air devicefor example as an igniter able to ignite for example charcoal fasterthan prior art igniters are able to manage.

The purpose of the invention is also to provide a handheld hot airdevice that can be used either as a hot air gun or a hair dryer.

The purpose of the present invention for an igniter is therefore for theheating element of the igniter to produce a higher igniting temperaturethan previously known igniters. Parts of the igniter are thereforecapsuled by ceramics and cooled by an air stream.

The purpose of the invention is also to have a programmable device thatcan be set for various ranges of temperatures and air flows.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a handheld, portable hot air devicecomprising an electrical heating element, a fan for inducing an airstream to pass the heating element and an accumulator for powering theheating element and the fan. The heating element comprises a ceramictube having a rear end and a front end and in which rear end a wirecircuit with at least one heating wire enters and leaves the ceramictube and in that the heating wire either protrudes out from the frontend of the ceramic tube or enters the front end of the ceramic tube, ina spiral formed shape and in that one heating wire is wrapped around acentral ceramic conduit located in the center of the ceramic tube.

In an embodiment of the invention the spiral formed heating wire is longenough to pass on the outside surface the total length of the centralceramic conduit. Also a return connection of the heating wire is placedinside the central ceramic conduit.

In an embodiment of the invention the spiral formed heating wire is longenough to pass further six times outside the central ceramic conduit andinside the ceramic tube.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ceramic conduit iscylindrical.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ceramic tube compriseslongitudinal inner wire compartments for enclosing said spiral formedheating wires.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ceramic tube comprises airindentations formed as grooves on the outside surface of the ceramictube.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ceramic tube is divided intoat least a front part and one or more rear parts which front partconsists of thicker ceramic material than any of the rear parts.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ceramic tube basically iscylindrical formed having the central ceramic conduit mounted in thecenter of the ceramic tube.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ceramic tube consists of afirst aluminum composition of 60% and of a second aluminum compositionof 40% wherein, the first composition consists of:

-   -   99% aluminium oxide,    -   0.6% calcium oxid,    -   0.2% magnesium,    -   0.2% silicon oxide and wherein,

the second composition consists of:

-   -   65% aluminium oxide,    -   15% talc,    -   10% kaolin,    -   10% magnesium carbonate.        The content is notated in weight percent and so is the following        contents.

In an embodiment of the invention a resistant wire is attached to theelectric circuit and transferring part of the voltage from theaccumulator into heat used to pre-heat the air through the device.

In an embodiment of the invention electric cables are mounted betweensaid accumulator and said fan of which cables at least one is providedwith said resistant wire for reducing the voltage to the fan.

In an embodiment of the invention the material composition in the saidheating wire consists of:

5% nickel,

22% chrome,

65% iron,

and 8% aluminium.

In an embodiment of the invention the said device further comprises aninlet air channel connected to the fan, said inlet air channel isarranged in the vicinity of the accumulator such that air drawn throughthe inlet channel provides a heat exchanging relationship with theaccumulator.

In an embodiment of the invention the inlet air channel is locatedupstream of the accumulator to direct the air flow to be in directcontact with the accumulator.

In an embodiment of the invention the electrical components of the saiddevice is designed to produce a temperature of the hot air at the frontend of the device to be in the range of 500-800° C., preferably 650° C.,to be able to use the hot air device as a handheld electrical igniterfor ignition of solid fuels such as charcoal.

In an embodiment of the invention the electrical components of the saiddevice is designed to produce a temperature of the hot air at the frontend of the device to be in the range of 80-300° C., preferably 150-200°C., to be able to use the hot air device as a handheld hot air gun.

In an embodiment of the invention the electrical components of the saiddevice is designed to produce a temperature of the hot air at the frontend of the device to be either in steps or continuously selectable at aspecific temperature in the range of 20-90° C. to be able to use the hotair device as a handheld hairdryer.

The invention also covers a method of manufacturing a ceramic conduit ora ceramic tube for a handheld, portable electrical hot air deviceaccording to any embodiments previous indicated, in that the methodhaving the following steps:

-   -   a) the materials in the ceramic composition are mixed together,    -   b) the mixture is placed in a mold,    -   c) the mold is treated in a kiln in a first burning at        200-300° C. for 20-40 minutes,    -   d) the mold is treated in a second burning at 1500-1700° C. for        20-40 minutes.

In an embodiment of the method the following alternative step is used:

-   -   c) the mold is treated in the kiln in a first burning at 250° C.        for 30 minutes.

In an embodiment of the method the following alternative step is used:

-   -   d) the mold is treated in a second burning at 1600° C. for 30        minutes.

The invention also covers a handheld, portable hot air device of theprevious mentioned type or a hot air device as an igniter for ignitionof solid fuels. The said igniter comprising an electrical heatingelement and a fan for inducing an air stream to pass the heatingelement. The said igniter also comprises an accumulator for powering theheating element and the fan, wherein it further comprises an ElectronicControl Unit, ECU. The said ECU being programmed to include a NormalIgnition Cycle, NIC, in which the fan and the heating element areoperating simultaneously during an Ignition Step which continues for aset time interval. Said ECU is programmed to include a Blowing Step, BS,in the Normal Ignition Cycle, NIC which follows after the Ignition Step,IS. Said Blowing step, BS, includes the feature of setting theelectrical effect of the heating element to be lower than in theignition step, IS, while the fan is still operating.

In an embodiment of the invention said ECU is programmed to control theheating element to be switched off in the blowing step.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ECU is programmed to controlthe fan to increase the air flow during the blowing step.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ECU is programmed to includea Preheating Step to precede the Ignition Step and the said PreheatingStep including the features of setting the fan at lower speed than inthe Ignition Step, e.g. completely turned off, while the heating elementis turned on.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ECU is programmed to includean Energy Saving Ignition Cycle in which the energy consumed by theheating element during its Ignition Step is lower than during theIgnition Step according to the Normal Ignition Cycle.

In an embodiment of the invention the said ECU is programmed to reducethe energy consumption of the heating element during the Ignition Stepin the Energy Saving Ignition Cycle by approximately 50 percent comparedto the Ignition Step in the Normal Ignition Cycle by reducing the timeof the Ignition Step by approximately 50 percent or reducing the powereffect by the heating element in watt by approximately 50 percent.

In an embodiment of the invention the total energy consumption for anIgnition Step in an Ignition Cycle is at least 5 times more than theenergy consumption during the Blowing Step for the same Ignition Cycle.

In an embodiment of the invention the said igniter further comprises aninlet air channel connected to the fan, said inlet air channel isarranged in the vicinity of the accumulator such that the air drawnthrough the inlet channel is in a heat exchanging relationship with theaccumulator.

In an embodiment of the invention the inlet air channel is designed todirect the air flow to be in direct contact with the accumulator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to anexemplifying embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which,

FIG. 1 illustrates a handheld portable hot air device as an igniteraccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a control panel of the hot air device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a split view of a second embodiment of a portable hotair device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic circuit according to the hot air devicein FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of a first ceramic tube of the hotair device in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of a second and third ceramic tube ofthe hot air device in FIG. 4;

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is disclosed a side view of hot air device as an igniter 1according to the invention. The igniter 1 comprises an air outletchannel 9 and an air inlet channel 6. In the outlet channel 9 is asheating element 2 located close to the outlet 9 a and a fan 3 locatedclose to the inlet 9 a. In the inlet channel 6 is an accumulator 4 andan Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 5 located. The accumulator 4 iselectrically connected to the heating element 2 and the fan 3 in orderto provide electric power to these devices. The ECU 5 is connected tothe heating element 2 and the fan 3 in order to control these devices,either by wires or by wireless communication. The outlet channel 9 isconnected at its inlet 9 a to the outlet 6 b of the inlet channel 6. Thefan 3 is arranged to draw air through inlet openings (not shown) in theinlet 6 a of the inlet channel 6 such that the air will pass the ECU 5and accumulator 4. The air will be further guided via the fan 3 to theheating element 2 and be heated before the air will be discarded throughthe outlet 9 b of the outlet channel 9.

Hence, the igniter is arranged to use the intake air for cooling of theaccumulator 4 and the ECU 5. There is of course the possibility theintake air actually has a temperature above the temperature of theaccumulator 4 at start but as the ignition procedure starts there willbe an increase temperature of the accumulator 4 from the electricdischarge when powering the heating element 2 and the fan 3 as well asfrom the incineration process itself when the fuel bed is ignited.

The igniter 1 further comprises a handle 8 such that it may be easy tohold and a control panel 8 for setting the igniter in a desiredfunctional mode. The control panel 8 is connected to the ECU 5 in orderto provide input information for control of the heating element 2 andfan 3.

In FIG. 2 is disclosed an embodiment of a control panel 7. The controlpanel includes a first push button 7 a marked “N”, a second push button7 b marked “E” and a third push button 7 c for the fan which have anassociated indicator panel 7 d with light diodes which indicates “OFF”,“I” and “II”.

Push button 7 a is intended to be pressed when there is a desire tostart a Normal Ignition Cycle (NIC). The letter “N” is thus intended tobe short for normal. When this button is pressed could it for example beindicated by having a lamp or diode integrated in the push button 7 asuch that that it is obvious the igniter now is controlled to be in theNIC mode.

When the “N” push button 7 a is pressed starts thus the NIC mode. Thisis the mode which should be selected for igniting a charcoal bed. Beforethe push button is pressed the igniter 1 is preferably located in anappropriate position in a charcoal bed (or other bed of solid fuel).

According to one embodiment is the Normal Ignition Cycle started by onlyactivating the heating element for a short while, e.g. 5 to 15 seconds,in order to preheat the heating element 2 and surrounding material. Thisis called a Preheating Step (PS). Thereafter is the fan 3 activated,e.g. to be in mode I, in order to create a flow of air through theigniter 1 to be heated by the heating element 2 and blow heated air fromthe outlet channel 9 to the charcoal bed. This is called an Ignitionstep (IS). This step may be set to continue for about 30 seconds to 3minutes, in general thought to be between 1 and 2 minutes.

After the Ignition Step (IS) is there a Blowing Step (BS). This step maycontinue for about 3 to 10 minutes. During this step is the effect ofthe heating lowered and may be completely turned off. The fan willcontinue to function and may even be controlled to increase its speed byselecting mode II and thus increase the amount of air blown through theigniter.

Above is thus described an embodiment of a Normal Ignition Cycle (NIC).However, the NIC may be modified in many ways, e.g. could the NIC onlycomprise the Ignition Step (IS). However, in general is it desired toinclude at least also the following Blowing Step (BS) in the NIC.

It may also be possible to have different fan speeds during the IgnitionStep (IS), e.g. could the fan be set in mode I during a first part ofthe IS and thereafter, when there is some glow in the charcoal bed,increasing the speed of the fan during a second part of the IS toincrease the ignition speed.

Hence, there are several ways of modifying the Normal Ignition Cycledepending on desired ignition properties.

The second push button 7 b, marked “E”, corresponds to an Energy SavingIgnition (ESIC). This mode is intended to ignite the charcoal bed whileusing less energy for ignition and thus in most instances also a slowerignition of a charcoal bed. This could for example be useful in thoseoccasions when a user knows he will need to use the igniter 1 severaltimes without having an opportunity to recharge the accumulator 4. Itcould also be an alternative to use if it is desired to speed up theignition process for an already partly ignited bed by placing theigniter 1 in another part of the bed or to use if the bed not wasproperly ignited by the Normal Ignition Cycle (NIC). The ESIC isintended to reduce the power consumption by reducing the set time duringwhich the Ignition Step (IS) is active when a lot of electric energyfrom the accumulator 4 is used to heat the heating element 2. Hence,this cycle is essentially programmed in the same way as the NormalIgnition Cycle (NIC) but differs in particular by reducing the energyconsumption associated with the heating of the heating element in theIgnition Step (IS).

The third press button 7 c, which is positioned besides the marking“FAN”, may be pushed to select the fan to be “OFF, in mode “I” or inmode “II”. By pressing the button once will the fan 3 switch from being“OFF” to be set in mode “I” which is indicated by a lighting lamp ordiode in the indicator panel 7 d next to the mark “I”. In this mode isthe fan running in a slow mode. By pressing the third button once morewill the fan mode change from “I” to “II” which is indicated by theindicator lamp next to “I” is turned off and the indicator lamp next to“II” starts to light. In this mode is the fan running faster than inmode “I” and the amount of air blown onto the follow bed is increased.By still another press on the push button is the fan switched off andthe indicator lamp next to “OFF” is turned on and the lamp next to “II”is turned off.

To be able to manually control the operation of the fan is beneficialfrom the view of speeding up the ignition of a charcoal bed when alreadyignited. To induce an air stream is almost as efficient as inducing aheated air stream when the bed has started to glow readily. Since theelectric energy consumption from powering the fan is considerably lesscompared to powering the heating element may this feature be desired inaddition to the preprogrammed Ignition Cycles (IC).

The control panel 7 could of course include further features, e.g. stillanother push button for further Ignition Cycles in addition to theNormal Ignition Cycle (NIC) and Energy Saving Ignition Cycle (ESIC).There could also be a separate control for operating the heating elementmanually even though it is not desired to allow the heating element tobe turned on for any longer time without the fan working due to the riskof overheating. The control panel 7 could of course also comprise a mainswitch for turning off the igniter.

The control panel need not to be located on the igniter 1 itself butcould also be a remote control.

FIG. 3 discloses schematically an exploded view with the components of asecond embodiment of a handheld portable hot air device 30 comprising anelectrical heating element 31 having a number of heating wires 32, inthe figure seven heating wires are disclosed of which six heating wiresare peripheral and one is central located in the heating element 31. Thehot air device includes a fan 33 driven by a motor M for inducing an airstream to pass the heating element 31. Also an accumulator 34 in theform of a battery pack for powering the heating element 31 and the fan33 is included in the device.

The heating wires 32 are enclosed in a first ceramic tube 35 whichceramic tube abuts a rearward located second ceramic tube 36 which inturn abuts a rearward third ceramic tube 37.

In the third ceramic tube 37 a wire loop 46 is placed which has afunction of reducing the voltage to the fan and at the same time addheat to the forward directed hot air stream from the fan.

For maneuvering the heat intervals and the fan speed a switch button 38is located in the rear part of the device. A further purpose of the wireloop is to eliminate the risk of shortening the operating switch button38.

The exploded parts in FIG. 3 is assembled into an operable device inwhich the switch button 38, the accumulator 34 is placed in a handle andthe ceramic parts are placed in a metal housing. The front ends and therear ends of the parts of the hot air device is indicated by the doublearrow in the figure.

FIG. 4 discloses a schematic circuit 40 of the handheld portable hot airdevice disclosed in FIG. 3 in which the cc is formed with a first wirecircuit 41 and a second wire circuit 42 in which the first wire circuit41 consists of four spiral formed heating wires 411, 412, 413, 414connected in series to each other. The second wire circuit 42 consistsof three spiral formed heating wires 421, 422, 423 also connected inseries to each other. The first wire circuit 41 and a second wirecircuit 42 are attached to each other in parallel and the wire circuitsare further connected to the accumulator 34 for powering the heatingelement 31. The total resistance R₄₁ of the first wire circuit 41 ispreferably 2.5Ω and the total resistance R₄₂ of the second wire circuit42 is also preferably 2.5Ω. The first heating wire 421 of the secondwire circuit 42 is formed on the outside of a central ceramic conduit 43and with a return connection 44 inside the central ceramic conduit 43,schematic illustrated in FIG. 4 with dashed lines.

For providing an air stream towards and past the heating element 31 thefan 33 driven by the motor M is attached to the accumulator 34 which fan33 is operated by a switch 38 at a low fan power “I” in which theheating element 31 is at its maximum power and at a high fan power “II”in which the heating element 31 is at its minimum power or not poweredat all. The switch 38 has also an off position “O” in which the wholedevice is turned off. In addition to the maximum powered heating element31 a resistance loop 46 can be activated in the circuit in order toreduce the powering voltage and to enhance the heat capacity of thedevice and also to eliminate the risk of shortening of the operatingpower. The resistance R₄₆ of the resistance loop 46 is preferably 170Ω.The wiring of the circuit 40 is connected to an eight pin, 1-8, contact47 in turn attached to the rechargeable battery pack 34 via aprogrammable circuit board 48. Preferably the power of the battery pack34 is 36V operating voltage at 2000 mAh. The programmable circuit board48 is factory programmed and the pins of the contact 47 can beprogrammed to have different voltage and/or current levels in order forthe device to work at its optimum. The programming is made by acomputer.

FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a cross section though the firstceramic tube 35 having six wire compartments 51 in each of which onespiral formed heating wire is inserted so that the heating wires of thefirst wire circuit 41 are placed in adjacent wire compartments 51. Alsothe heating wires of the second wire circuit 42 are placed in adjacentwire compartments 52 and with one heating wire 421 placed in the centerof the first ceramic tube 35 wound around the central ceramic tube 43with its return connection 44 inside the central ceramic conduit 43. Theceramic tube 35 is provided with radially inwards extending compartmentwalls 53 separating each wire compartment from the adjacent wirecompartment. The compartment walls 53 form an inner tube space 54 intowhich the central ceramic conduit 43 with its outside wound heating wire421 is located. The first ceramic tube 35 is formed with airindentations 55 on its outside which increases the air flow from the fanto the outlet of the outlet channel of the device. As previouslydescribed the intake of air is located in order for cooling theaccumulator.

FIG. 6 illustrate a cross section of the second ceramic tube 36, beingidentical to the third ceramic tube. The second ceramic tube 36 isapproximately cylindrical in shape and provided with three identicalformed air compartments 61 and a center air tube 62.

1. A handheld, portable hot air device comprising an electrical heatingelement, a fan for inducing an air stream to pass the heating elementand an accumulator for powering the heating element and the fan, whereinsaid heating element comprises a ceramic tube having a rear end and afront end, wherein a wire circuit with at least one heating wire entersand leaves the ceramic tube at the rear end, wherein the heating wireeither protrudes out from the front end of the ceramic tube or entersthe front end of the ceramic tube in a spiral formed shape and wherein aspiral formed heating wire is wrapped around a central ceramic conduitlocated in a center of the ceramic tube.
 2. The hot air device of claim1, wherein the spiral formed heating wire is long enough to pass on anoutside surface for a total length of the central ceramic conduit andwherein a return connection is placed inside the central ceramicconduit.
 3. The hot air device of claim 2, wherein the spiral formedheating wire is long enough to pass further six times outside thecentral ceramic conduit and inside the ceramic tube.
 4. The hot airdevice of claim 1, wherein said central ceramic conduit is cylindrical.5. The hot air device of claim 1, wherein said ceramic tube compriseslongitudinal inner wire compartments enclosing said spiral formedheating wire.
 6. The hot air device of claim 1, wherein said ceramictube comprises air indentations formed as grooves on an outside surfaceof the ceramic tube.
 7. The hot air device of claim 1, wherein saidceramic tube is divided into at least a front part and one or more rearparts wherein the front part consists of thicker ceramic material thanthe one or more rear parts.
 8. The hot air device of claim 1, whereinsaid ceramic tube is substantially cylindrical and wherein the centralceramic conduit is mounted at a center of the ceramic tube.
 9. The hotair device of claim 1, wherein said ceramic tube consists of a firstaluminum composition of 60% and of a second aluminum composition of 40%wherein, the first composition consists of: 99% aluminium oxide, 0.6%calcium oxide, 0.2% magnesium, 0.2% silicon oxide and wherein, thesecond composition consists of: 65% aluminium oxide, 15% talc, 10%kaolin, 10% magnesium carbonate.
 10. The hot air device of claim 1,wherein a resistant wire is attached to the electric heating element andtransfers a part of a voltage from the accumulator into heat used topre-heat air through the device.
 11. The hot air device of claim 10,wherein electric cables are mounted between said accumulator and saidfan wherein at least one of the cables is provided with said resistantwire for reducing the voltage to the fan.
 12. The hot air device ofclaim 1, wherein the material composition of said heating wire consistsof: 5% nickel, 22% chrome, 65% iron, and 8% aluminium.
 13. The hot airdevice of claim 1, comprising an inlet air channel connected to the fan,wherein said inlet air channel is arranged in a vicinity of theaccumulator such that air drawn through the inlet channel provides aheat exchanging relationship with the accumulator.
 14. The hot airdevice of claim 13, wherein the inlet air channel is located upstream ofthe accumulator to direct the air to be in direct contact with theaccumulator.
 15. The hot air device of claim 1, wherein electricalcomponents of the said device are configured to produce a temperature ofhot air at the front end of the device to be in a range of 500-800° C.,such that the hot air device is configured as a handheld electricaligniter for ignition of solid fuels such as charcoal.
 16. The hot airdevice of claim 1, wherein electrical components of the said device areconfigured to produce a temperature of hot air at the front end of thedevice to be in the range of 80-300° C., such that the hot air device isconfigured as a handheld hot air gun.
 17. The hot of claim 1, whereinelectrical components of the said device are configured to produce atemperature of hot air at the front end of the device to be either insteps or continuously selectable at a specific temperature in the rangeof 20-90° C. such that the hot air device is configured as a handheldhairdryer.
 18. A method of manufacturing a ceramic conduit or a ceramictube for a handheld, portable electrical hot air device, comprising: a)mixing the materials in the ceramic composition together, b) placing themixture in a mold, c) treating the mold in a kiln in a first burning at200-300° C. for 20-40 minutes, and d) treating the mold is in a secondburning at 1500-1700° C. for 20-40 minutes; wherein the hot air devicecomprises an electrical heating element and a fan for inducing an airstream to pass the heating element, wherein said heating elementcomprises the ceramic tube, the ceramic conduit located in a center ofthe ceramic tube, and a spiral formed heating wire wrapped around theceramic conduit.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein treating the moldin a kiln in a first burning at 200-300° C. for 20-40 minutes comprisestreating the mold in the kiln in the first burning at 250° C. for 30minutes.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein treating the mold in thesecond burning at 1500-1700° C. for 20-40 minutes comprises treating themold in the second burning at 1600° C. for 30 minutes.
 21. A hot airdevice, comprising: an electrical heating element and a fan for inducingan air stream to pass the heating element, an accumulator for poweringthe heating element and the fan, and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU),wherein said ECU is configured to provide a Normal Ignition Cycle inwhich the fan and the heating element are operating simultaneouslyduring an Ignition Step which continues for a set time interval, and aBlowing Step in the Normal Ignition Cycle which follows after theIgnition Step, and wherein said Blowing step includes setting anelectrical effect of the heating element to be lower than in theignition step while the fan is still operating.
 22. The hot air deviceof claim 21, wherein said ECU is configured to control the heatingelement to be switched off in the blowing step.
 23. The hot air deviceof claim 21, wherein said ECU is configured to control the fan toincrease air flow during the blowing step.
 24. The hot air device ofclaim 21, wherein said ECU is configured to provide a Preheating Steppreceding the Ignition Step, said Preheating Step including setting thefan at lower speed than in the Ignition Step or turning the fan offwhile the heating element is turned on.
 25. The hot air device of claim21, wherein said ECU is configured to include an Energy Saving IgnitionCycle in which energy consumed by the heating element during an IgnitionStep of the Energy Saving Ignition Cycle is lower than during theIgnition Step of the Normal Ignition Cycle.
 26. The hot air device ofclaim 25, wherein said ECU is configured to reduce the energyconsumption of the heating element during the Ignition Step of theEnergy Saving Ignition Cycle by approximately 50 percent compared to theIgnition Step of the Normal Ignition Cycle by reducing the time of theIgnition Step by approximately 50 percent or reducing a power effect bythe heating element in watt by approximately 50 percent.
 27. The hot airdevice of claim 21 wherein a total energy consumption for the IgnitionStep is at least 5 times more than an energy consumption during theBlowing Step.
 28. The hot air device of claim 21, comprising an inletair channel connected to the fan, wherein said inlet air channel isarranged in a vicinity of the accumulator such that air drawn throughthe inlet channel is in a heat exchanging relationship with theaccumulator.
 29. The hot air device of claim 28, wherein the inlet airchannel is configured to direct the air to be in direct contact with theaccumulator.